The Susquehanna River hosts multiple smallmouth bass tournaments throughout the year, run by different organizations with their own rules and entry fees

The Susquehanna River is one of Pennsylvania's premier smallmouth bass fisheries, and several tournaments take place on its waters each season. The most established is the Susquehanna River Smallmouth Bass Tournament, typically held in spring and fall, organized by local fishing clubs and regional bass fishing associations. Other events include club-level competitions and charity tournaments that rotate between different sections of the river — the upper Susquehanna near Harrisburg, the middle sections around Conowingo Dam, and the lower river toward the Maryland border.

Each tournament has its own schedule, entry cost, and rules about catch-and-release versus weigh-in procedures. Some are open to anyone with a valid Pennsylvania fishing license; others are restricted to club members. Before you register, you need to know which event you're entering, when it runs, and what the organizers expect from you on the water.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiple organizations run Susquehanna smallmouth tournaments throughout the year, so confirm the specific event date and organizer before you commit.
  • Entry fees typically range from $50 to $150 per angler, and most tournaments require you to bring your own boat or fish from a designated launch site.
  • All tournaments require a valid Pennsylvania fishing license, and most follow catch-and-release rules with a weigh-in period at the end of the day.
  • The river's three main sections — upper, middle, and lower — each have different access points, depth patterns, and seasonal bass behavior you should scout beforehand.
  • Registration usually closes one to two weeks before the tournament date, and many events fill up during peak season.

Where tournaments happen on the Susquehanna

The Susquehanna River runs roughly 400 miles from New York through Pennsylvania to Maryland, but tournament fishing concentrates on three sections. The upper Susquehanna, near Harrisburg and Middletown, offers shallower water, rocky structure, and access from public boat launches at City Island and Riverfront Park. This section is popular for spring tournaments when bass move into shallower spawning areas.

The middle Susquehanna, around Conowingo Dam and the Peach Bottom area, features deeper pools, ledges, and current breaks that hold bass year-round. Launch sites here include Shure's Landing and Conowingo Dam's public areas. Fall tournaments often focus on this section because the deeper water stays productive as water temperature drops.

The lower Susquehanna, toward the Maryland border, is wider and more tidal, with different bass behavior and access points. Tournaments here are less common but do occur, usually organized by Maryland-based clubs that welcome Pennsylvania anglers. Check with local marinas for current launch information, as access points and fees change seasonally.

Entry fees, registration, and what you need to bring

Most Susquehanna smallmouth tournaments charge between $50 and $150 per angler to enter, with some events offering a co-angler division (where you fish as a non-boater paired with a boat owner) at a lower fee. Prize payouts typically come from the entry pool, so larger tournaments with more participants offer bigger winnings. Some charity events donate a portion of entry fees to local conservation groups or youth fishing programs.

Registration deadlines are usually one to two weeks before the tournament date, though some events accept late entries on the morning of the event for an additional fee. You register through the tournament organizer's website, by phone, or at a local tackle shop. You will need your Pennsylvania fishing license number when you sign up — have it ready before you call or fill out the form online.

On tournament day, bring your own boat or arrange to fish as a co-angler with a registered boat owner. You will need a cooler with ice for weighing fish, a net, and whatever tackle and electronics you normally use. Most tournaments run from sunrise to a set weigh-in time (usually mid-afternoon), so plan for a full day on the water. Bring water, food, and sun protection — the Susquehanna can be exposed, especially in spring and fall.

Tournament rules: catch-and-release, weigh-in, and penalties

Nearly all Susquehanna smallmouth tournaments use catch-and-release rules, meaning you fish all day and bring your largest bass to the weigh-in station at the end. You are allowed to keep fish in a livewell during the tournament, but they must be released alive after weighing. Dead fish are typically penalized or disqualified, so keep your livewell aerated and your fish in good condition throughout the day.

Weigh-in usually happens at a designated boat launch or marina during a two-hour window in the afternoon. You must have your fish in the livewell and arrive within that window — late arrivals forfeit their catch. Each fish is weighed individually, and your tournament score is either your total weight (if it's a team event) or your largest fish (in single-angler divisions). Ties are broken by the weight of the second-largest fish, then the third, and so on.

Common penalties include a one-pound deduction per dead fish, disqualification for fishing outside designated areas, and immediate removal for using live baitfish (most tournaments allow artificial lures and soft plastics only). Read the tournament rules sheet before you register — each organizer sets slightly different standards, and ignorance of the rules does not protect you from penalties.

When tournaments run and how to find upcoming events

Spring tournaments (April through May) capitalize on pre-spawn and spawn activity, when bass move shallow and are aggressive. Fall tournaments (September through October) target post-summer bass that have moved back to deeper structure. Winter and summer events are less common because water conditions are either too cold or too warm for consistent tournament fishing, though some clubs do run events year-round.

To find upcoming Susquehanna tournaments, contact local bass fishing clubs, check with tackle shops in Harrisburg, Middletown, and Conowingo, and search online for "Susquehanna River bass tournament" with the current year. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission does not maintain a central tournament calendar, so you will need to reach out to individual clubs. Local Facebook groups dedicated to Susquehanna fishing often post tournament announcements weeks in advance.

Some tournaments are invitation-only or restricted to club members, while others are open to the public. If you are new to tournament fishing, start with an open event run by a well-established club — they tend to have clearer communication and better-organized weigh-in procedures. Ask other anglers at the launch site which tournaments they recommend; word-of-mouth is often the best guide.

Preparing your boat and tackle for Susquehanna conditions

The Susquehanna is a large river with variable depth, current, and structure depending on which section you fish. Bring a GPS/sonar unit so you can mark ledges, drop-offs, and current breaks — these are where tournament bass hide. The upper river is shallower and rockier, so you may need a shallow-draft boat or willingness to navigate carefully. The middle and lower sections require deeper-water electronics to find bass holding on ledges 20 to 40 feet down.

Stock your tackle box with a mix of topwater lures (early morning and low-light conditions), crankbaits (for covering structure quickly), and soft plastics like tubes and creature baits (for deeper presentations). Smallmouth on the Susquehanna respond well to natural colors — browns, blacks, and greens — and smaller lures (2 to 4 inches) often outfish larger baits. Bring extra line, hooks, and lures because snags on rocks and wood are common.

Check your boat's fuel capacity before you leave — the Susquehanna is large, and running between productive areas can burn fuel quickly. Bring a spare battery for your electronics, a first-aid kit, and a throwable flotation device. Water conditions change with dam releases upstream, so check the Conowingo Dam release schedule the day before you fish — high water can make launching difficult and change where bass position themselves.

What happens after the weigh-in and how winners are determined

After all fish are weighed and recorded, the tournament organizer announces results, usually within 30 minutes. Winners are determined by total weight (in team events) or largest individual fish (in single-angler divisions). Payouts go to the top three to five finishers, depending on the tournament size. Some events also award prizes for the largest single fish of the day or the most fish caught.

Prize money is typically distributed at the weigh-in site or mailed to winners within a week. Smaller tournaments may award tackle, gift certificates, or trophies instead of cash. Ask the organizer about their payout structure when you register — some split winnings among more places (smaller per-place payouts) while others concentrate money in the top spots.

After the tournament, fish are released back into the river. Most anglers report that tournament-caught smallmouth survive and recover well, especially when handled carefully and kept in aerated livewells. If you want to fish the Susquehanna recreationally after the tournament, you can — the river is open to public fishing year-round with a valid license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own boat to fish a Susquehanna tournament?

No. Most tournaments offer a co-angler division where you fish as a non-boater paired with a registered boat owner. Co-angler entry fees are usually $25 to $75 less than boater fees. Contact the tournament organizer to learn about co-angler spots are still open — they fill up quickly during popular events.

What if I catch a fish that's too small or doesn't meet the tournament rules?

You release it immediately and keep fishing. There is no minimum size requirement for tournament smallmouth on the Susquehanna, but some tournaments may have their own rules — check before you fish. If you catch a fish you cannot weigh (dead, injured, or wrong species), simply release it and move on.

Can I fish a different section of the river than where the tournament is based?

Most tournaments restrict fishing to a designated area to keep the field competitive and safe. Read the tournament rules to see where you are allowed to fish. Fishing outside the designated zone typically results in disqualification, so confirm the boundaries before you launch.

How much does it cost to launch a boat at Susquehanna access points?

Launch fees vary by location and season. Public launches at City Island and Riverfront Park near Harrisburg charge $5 to $10 per day. Private marinas and some tournament-designated launches may charge $15 to $25. Ask the tournament organizer which launch site they use and whether the fee is included in your entry cost.

What is the best time of year to fish a Susquehanna tournament if I am new to the river?

Spring (April to May) is ideal for newcomers because bass are shallower and more predictable. Fish the upper Susquehanna section first — it is easier to navigate and has more obvious structure. Fall tournaments on the middle river are productive but require better electronics and deeper-water skills.